#topdraweryarns

Goin’ Green Frittata

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Brussels sprouts baked in a frittata?  Oh, yeah!  Saute them first to start the cooking process, throw in the leeks, then add two more layers of green vegetables.  That’s the only trick to it.  Serve this with a crunchy green salad and you have a great diabetic friendly - lactose free - vegetarian - vitamin D rich main dish.  Nice job taking care of yourself!

2 T. margarine

2 c. Brussels sprouts, quartered

2 c. leeks, ribbon cut

12 eggs, whisked

1 t. sea salt

1 t. ground black pepper

2 c. tightly packed fresh spinach, whole leaves

1/4 c. fresh curly leaf parsley, chopped using kitchen scissors

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  In a large fry pan, saute Brussels sprouts then add leeks at the last minute to finish off.  Add salt/pepper to eggs, whisk.  In a greased baking dish, layer spinach, Brussels sprouts/leeks mixture, parsley pouring eggs over everything covering well.  Bake 60 min. until a knife thrust into the center comes out clean. 

When I’m not throwing together a great main meal dish for the family, I’m sewing cotton pocket chef aprons for my online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/topdrawerthreads .  Or I’m merrily crocheting hats from recycled yarn while riding shot gun to a vacation spot for my other shop - www.etsy.com/shop/topdraweryarns .

My daughter’s and friend have an online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/yesdesigns - where the hand make and sell cut away t shirts to show off your tats.  My other daughter has an online shop - where she designs and crochets mushroom shaped bags from recycled yarn for her shop - www.etsy.com/shop/shroombloombags .

Grow your Own...

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...mushrooms that is!  Oyster, Shitake, Morel, King, Chicken of the Woods, Lion’s mane, blue, or golden - you choose the variety.  They come in “logs” or as plugs for starting this foodie adventure.  These don’t take more care than an indoor kitchen counter top herb garden.  Some varieties need twice daily misting, so if you tend to over water any way this could be ideal for you.  It’s an intriguing divergence from sprouting or window sill herb gardens, also as a great fresh addition to your diabetic diet. 

These are available through Amazon.  I have no connection to any seller of these.  I’m just another diabetic looking for ways to eat better and keep my blood sugar numbers in check.

When I’m not marveling at the way mushrooms reproduce, I’m sewing bright Spring aprons for my online shop ( www.etsy.com/shop/topdrawerthreads ) or putting the finishing touches on hand knit items for my other shop ( www.etsy.com/shop/topdraweryarns ).  My daughter’s (and friend) have an online shop, www.etsy.com/shop/yesdesigns , where they hand make and sell rainbow dog print knickers, mushroom print leggings, and knit picnic blankets.  My other daughter has an online shop, www.etsy.com/shop/shroombloombags , where she designs and crochets mushroom themed festival bags.

Savory Barley Rosemary Soup

My rosemary looks more like a bonsai version than a full size woody stemmed plant going to shrub just from snipping off the odd sprig to add as seasoning to whatever new dish I’m cooking that day.  It was twice that size last summer.  Here is an easy to fix barley soup with just a hint of rosemary to flavor along with parsnips, mushrooms, and wiltable greens.  See what you think...

2 c. barley, dried

6 c. vegetable broth

2 c. water

1 t. salt

1 t. pepper

1 sprig rosemary

oil

2 c. celery, sliced thin

1 c. parsnip, grated coarsely

2 lg. leeks, sliced into rings

2 t. garlic

1 bunch wiltable greens - spinach/kale/chard - diced

1 c. mushrooms, sliced

In a large soup pot, add barley, vegetable broth, water, salt, pepper, and rosemary.  Cover and bring to a boil then turn down to simmer.  While that’s cooking, saute celery, parsnip, leeks, and garlic in oil.  Add vegetables to barley gathering, add greens and mushrooms.  Cover and simmer 30 min. until barley is tender.  Grab a ladle and deep soup bowl - get ready to enjoy a hearty savory meal.

When I’m not thinking up new ways with soups, I’m sewing cotton pocket chef aprons for my online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/topdrawerthreads and www.amazon.com/handmade/topdrawerthreads .

Or I’m putting the finishing touches on hand knit hats worked by me from upcycled yarn for my other shop - www.etsy.com/shop/topdraweryarns .

My daughter’s have an online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/yesdesigns - where they design and sew cotton pocket knickers.

My older daughter has an online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/wildwovenwomen - where she works upcycled yarn into brightly striped scarves and afghans.

Squash Bean Tortilla

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What a treat when you want something melted cheese...healthy...diabetic friendly...right now!  Serve with salad greens topped with pico de gallo.  This is a great lunch or dinner idea for one but stay sharp...this can burn in a hurry if you look away to check your messages.  Thanks, Victoria!

olive oil

1 flour tortilla

1/4 c. green onions, chopped using kitchen scissors

1/4 c. baked squash, mashed

1/4 c. refried beans

1/4 c. shredded cheese - mozzarella or cheddar jack

Brush/wipe oil on skillet.  Spread beans on half of the tortilla, squash on the other.  Place tortilla on griddle pan to start heating.   Sprinkle the onions and cheese in the middle.  Fold over, squash sides together a bit using a spatula.  Check to see if griddle side tortilla is beginning browning.  Carefully flip over at that point, grilling second side to just turning brown.  Transfer to a dinner plate, slice using a pizza cutter.

When I’m not fixing a fast lunch for myself, I’m sewing cotton waist tie aprons for my online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/topdrawerthreads .  Or, I’m putting the finishing touches on hand knitted hats made from recycled yarn for my other shop - www.etsy.com/shop/topdraweryarns . 

My two daughter’s and friend have an online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/yesdesigns - where they hand make and sell macrame jewelry...necklaces, bracelets, anklets.  My other daughter has an online shop - www.etsy.com/shop/shroombloombags where she designs and crochets mushroom inspired neck pouches.

Pattypan Squash

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Cute name...delicious side dish...quick to fix...diabetic friendly...just the ingredients I need to help lower my blood sugar levels!  Slice the squash into narrow wedges, toss in a fry pan with a splash of olive oil, season with a dash of salt/pepper/garlic powder.  Saute until tender and serve with pork roast and a crunchy green salad.  Great side dish and great addition to my diabetic diet plan.

When I’m not amusing myself serving up new side dishes to the family, I’m sewing dinosaur deep pocket aprons for my online shop ( www.artyah.com/seller/topdrawerthreads ).  Or, I’m merrily making chunky knitted rainbow slouchy hats for my other shop ( www.etsy.com/shop/topdraweryarns ).  My daughter’s (and friend) have an online shop, www.etsy.com/shop/yesdesigns , where they hand make and sell knitted scarves - hats - afghans from recycled yarn.  My other daughter has an online shop, www.etsy.com/shop/shroombloombags , where she designs and crochets mushroom inspired bags.  If you’re on the go but want to be in the know about great audio book listens, check out this website - www.lendmeyourears2017.tumbler.com .

Corn Tomato Chowder

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The scent of simmering soup wafts through your home, inviting your family in to dinner...fast, easy, cheap, healthy, and it works with my diabetic meal plan.  Serve this with romaine spears on the side.  Who could ask for anything more?

16 oz. bag corn, frozen, defrosted by running hot water through the corn in a colander

1 - 14.5 oz. can stewed tomatoes

1 lg. bell pepper, seeded, diced

1 c. celery, chopped

water or vegetable broth

dash salt and pepper

 2 T. margarine

3 T. whole wheat flour

1 1/2 c. milk

1/2 c. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

In a large pot, add corn, tomatoes, bell pepper, and celery.  Add water/vegetable broth to 1″ above level of vegetables, salt and pepper, bring to a boil then begin simmering.  In a fry pan, melt margarine, brown flour, whisk in milk slowly leaving no lumps.  Gently stir flour mixture into soup water.  Continue simmer until bell pepper/celery are just tender.  Top servings with cheese.

When I’m not simmering soups, I’m sewing bowling ball/pin chef aprons for my online shop ( www.etsy.com/shop/topdrawerthreads ).  Or, I’m dreaming up color combos and crocheting chevron/zig zag/ripple scarves from recycled yarn for my other shop ( www.etsy.com/shop/topdraweryarns ).  My daughter’s (and friend) have an online shop, www.etsy.com/shop/yesdesigns , where they hand make and sell peace sign hemp macrame jewelry - necklaces, bracelets, anklets - for men or women.  My other daughter has an online shop, www.etsy.com/shop/shroombloombags , where she designs and crochets rainbow mushroom shaped bags from recycled yarn.

Cabbage Soup

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Beautiful, vibrant green leaves give the promise of nutrition and deliver it.  They are a cornerstone of my diabetic diet.  Give it a whirl!

2 c. rutabagas, peeled, diced

1 c. onion, diced

2 carrots, sliced

1 med. size head of cabbage, chopped

3 c. boiling water

1/2 t. thyme

1 bay leaf

dash salt and pepper

1 c. half and half

Microwave rutabagas in a fabric microwave bag for 3 min. on high.  Add rutabagas, onion, carrots, cabbage, thyme, bay leaf, salt and pepper to the water in a large soup pot.  Simmer until carrots are tender - 20 min.  Gradually add the half and half, stirring constantly.  Enjoy! 

When I’m not simmering new soups for the family, I’m sewing adjustable vegetable themed aprons for my online shop ( www.etsy.com/shop/topdrawerthreads ).  Or, knitting stocking caps from recycled yarn for my other shop ( www.etsy.com/shop/topdraweryarns ).  My daughter’s (and friend) have an online shop, www.etsy.com/shop/yesdesigns , where they hand make and sell knit afghans - scarves - hats from recycled yarn.  My other daughter has an online shop, www.etsy.com/shop/shroombloombags , where she designs and crochets mushroom themed pouches from recycled yarn. 

Fiesta Quinoa

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So good fixed according to package directions served hot but with black beans (drained and rinsed) added to the pinto beans for even more protein.  This works well as a fast meal that supports my diabetic diet efforts.  I found this in the frozen section at my local New Season’s grocer.

I’m just another diabetic working to eat well and keep my blood sugar numbers at a good level.  I have no connection with Tommy’s Superfoods...just like their product.